Graywulf

Interesting to read your thoughts Don, as I had the big 1670cc Twin for 80k. From reading about the Roadliners and now the SVTC power was about the same {mine was stage 2+} but the MT-01 was substantially lighter at 260kg. Redline was 5.5k so very similar 'feel' to the power delivery you describe. It was actually a very relaxed motor {basically a hotted up Warrior motor} and I did my 1000 miles in 24hr distance ride on it. The torque between 60-100mph was just phenomenal, as well as serious 'grunt' down low. I'd suspect the SVTC will be very similar, Serious jelly here The downside here with the really aggressive stone chip/tar spray roads was very poor rear tire life due to the 'torque pulses' Now don't you go decrying them there Spyder things, I was converted to them by the 'lil woman' Vicki. They corner better than a 'normal trike' and man it was her RTS that made me go looking for a 'full dresser'. Those 1330 triple RT's are downright awesome on the open road. They take some serious adjusting to {counter steering is a no no} but it's a GW on three wheels I could easily go back to one in the future if/when my 'big bike' days are obviously ending due to frailty. I can't see the SVTC coming to NZ unless a personal import arrives so I will be reading with definite envy But as you have said, the V4 is a damn fine motor and does the job very well.

delete BEFORE she sees it?

Congratulations Don I think I said in an earlier thread, I doubt the V twin will disappoint. Can honestly say 'Envious'

Yup they are out there, Barney is a 2006 only had 27.000km's on it. Average of only 2.250km a year for goodness sake. Trouble was it needed a complete service inc carbs stripped down and cleaned, but now have a 'good as new' 12yr old bike. It's incredible that people could pay the cost of a brand new bike, then literally leave it in the garage for a decade.

Yup I'm in the same boat, 40 odd yrs riding, and feel like a 'newbie' with Barney. Having to think about it when I stop, car parks, 'reversing' off the car pad on to the drive. Mini roundabouts, tight slow speed corners all now I'm 'thinking about'. The other issue here is an abundance of 'tar snakes' for road repairs, and we also get a lot of 'tar bleeding' on the roads, so you end up with shiny patches that are as slippery as hell in the wet. As you said, I am sure the bike is capable of more than than I am doing, but I am happy with so far, and only a bit over 2k km's on it.

wow bad luck shadowhawk, they do take a lot of getting used to at parking speeds. hope you can get the bike fixed quickly.

sorry not trying to 'hijack' the thread, but felt a reply was in order Steven. Firstly I am not a Mechanic by trade, but was a Toolmaker so do have a little engineer understanding. In my opinion the 'trade off' for the MT-01 was to enable it to pass Euro noise/emission reg's. There were two versions pre/post 2007 of the ECU {standard} the early MT's could be 'stage 1'd' {Akropovics/filter I would guess the 'hot rodded' Yamaha Warriors you can make there {patrick racing kits} would bring them pretty much up to the standard MT-01 performance as a comparison.

I'm wondering if like the MT-01's the Euro emission reg's will 'cripple' the V twin? That motor {MT} ran out of 'puff' at 4.5k rpm with a 5.5 redline. I stage 2'd mine. New ECU that removed the O2 sensor/control completely and removed the Exup valve, with errrr 'free flowing' mufflers. Basically made the engine what it should have been from the start, and was a noticeable difference especially over 4.5k rpm, and overall 'pull'. If the 3rd Gen is based off the Warrior/Stratoliner motors, it will run pretty well in an unrestricted form.

OMG am I becoming a confirmed 'Venturer' already? Went for a ride on the Honda {CB1300} not exactly a high revving engine {8.5k redline} and it is as torquey as f**k, but guys I kept looking for another gear, it was 'revving too high'

I doubt we will see them in New Zealand, I think there are only 4 or 5 RSV's here, and a smattering of the old Royal Stars. Most are US Imports {RS's} and I think 3 Ventures are NZ new. I haven't even seen a 1700 Voyager yet. Having owned an MT01 {has a hot-rodded Warrior motor} I would not be concerned about the V-twin model, it can produce huge torque and pull like a train above 3k rpm. But I am damned well enjoying the V4 Venture.

Hi I'm 5ft10 and can just comfortably get both feet on the ground. Seat height is low, but these are wide bikes for sure. If I needed to alter the seat, having read a lot of posts about dropping the clamps on the forks, I'd give that a try first.

Yes I've sort of named my black cherry RSV 'Barney' Been riding it to work, and a weekend ride on Sunday. Certainly takes some getting used to. So much heavier than any previous bike I've owned, as well as 'bigger' all round. Getting the feel on bends, tighter stuff, but the low speed manoeuvring is still very touchy/feely. Although the power is not 'outstanding' compared to my CB1300, it certainly has 'sufficient'. I've found it pulls quite well in 4th gear, trundles along at 60kph, with 'some' acceleration on the flat. Which from reading other posts I am a bit surprised about as people seem to say that 4th and 5th are too high? It runs a lot better than when I got it now, fully serviced, all fluids/greased etc. Carbs stripped down and cleaned {varnish}, K&N filters, V&H Monster ovals{already on it}, and an Ivan's jet kit. Also fitted a 'baggershield' screen which has already proven it's worth in rain. I'm not sure about the fuel economy though.. about 250km's to the second bar {after fuel light} goes 'off' on the dash. then getting about 18 litres of fuel in. {About 170 miles, around 42mpg?} Would you guys consider that a fairly good economy for a 50/50 mix of town and open road riding? Comfort? What can I say that you wouldn't know already? This is an amazingly comfortable bike I may not get to do the organised 1000miles in 24hrs this year, but will be taking Barney on the 1000km day ride. The closest I have owned as a bike to this was a Guzzi California 'tour' in the 1990's. Faster, handled better, but have to admit the Venture takes things to a high level of comfort. I think this partnership is going to be a long one.

The one good thing about my insurer here, is my bikes are an 'agreed value'. So in the event of, I get paid out that sum, not the 'market' or trade 'guide book' value.

I know I'm in New Zealand, but similar story here My bikes are all 'fully comprehensive' cover. The 2006 Venture is $425 per year, my 2009 Honda CB1300S is $800 per year. Reason for double price for the honda, it's classed as a sports bike, the Venture a 'cruiser' so lower risk.

I'd say that front fairing is closer to the early 1500. late 1200 Goldwing that a Venture? I rode a 1300 6cyl Voyager and that was an 'interesting' ride, but then I was young and wanted SPeeeeeeeeeed lol.

OML, yessss add me to the I want list.

Hi Patch, good post too. The handling issue {need for the nanny} with Spyders, is they act like 'two' vehicles at the same time? You get the centrifugal forces of a car on bends, so you end up taking more of a car's line, lean in like a bike, but they act like riding a sidecar and try to lift the inside front wheel and want to run wide. Very susceptible to adverse camber corners. You can 'hussle' them along for what they are, but overcook it? {Which is easy in the first few thou km's} Slam the anchors on, they go straight forwards, and they have BLOODY good brakes. The RSS is also very 'bouncy' on rough or uneven roads. {like a sport bike suspension}. I gather the F3 handles corners better than the RS series, and the 'nanny' has been relaxed, but it will not save you if you really overcook it. My ex has an 1330 RTS and that's what decided me to go for an 'armchair tourer'. Canam revised the suspension on the 1330 RT's and for all the extra weight they are as quick as the RSS and go round bends as well {trust me I tried to lose Vicki many times} The nanny prevents stepping out of the rear end, and also both reduces power and applies the outer brake on corners if you trip it into action. The arse end stepping out would probably ocour long after the inside wheel lifted without 'controls' in place.

NZ has very 'different' road conditions, they use Volcanic chip, and we have some of the most abrasive road surfaces anywhere. But I have found that overall for price/wear/grip I have not found better than the Bridgestone GT tires on several big capacity 250-280kg bikes. I've had a pair of the Excedra's fitted to my Venture, so will be interested in how well they do. But sadly I've never seen more that 10-10,500 miles at the very best on a rear lid here with heavy bikes.

Fiiiiiiiinally the Rock has come back to........... Nah, just kidding. But feel that good, I should get my Venture back from the shop by the end of this week {been in there since the day I got it} . Had it checked over, all the fluids changed, greased up, new tires, service, K&N's fitted. Today the final bits both arrived, the Baggershield I ordered, and an Ivan's jet kit. Dropped them off this arvo, and they are going to start on the carb's tomorrow. Damn I love the sound it makes riding with those V&H monster ovals, but I only get Saturday off this weekend, so no 'silly' rides for the sheer hell of it

Having just recently parted with a Spyder RSS, I'd be really concerned over it's cornering abilities. Even BRP admit the Spyders are NOT stable without the 'nanny system' keeping watch. It'd be VERY easy to overcook a corner and tip it I reckon. Spyders actually have quite a low Cog, {as well as width} that conversion would be a lot higher. Interesting engineering exercise though.

You've hit the nail on the head where HD is concerned IMO. They have hoodwinked the world for a few decades with how they trim up, restyle the same old bike and call it a 'new' model. Over here the 'if it aint HD, it's **** crowd' are still alive and kicking. I enjoy when told by a weekend warrior that HD are the best bikes in the world. When asked a direct "so how exactly is it better than my bike?" " because It's a Harley, and they are selling more bikes than anyone else" is the usual response type. They actually can give no mechanical reason that a HD is 'better'. It was amusing back in the mid 90's I bought one of the first 3 Guzzi Cali 1100's in NZ, brilliant bike for a cruiser. A few months later I came across a USA 'heavy duty' type magazine, who voted the Cali as the best HD "coz it out HD'd the HD's of the time". I had two 'big' Trumpy's in my youth, Yes they were enjoyable in their own way, but then I went and got a Kwaka 500 H-1a. Nuff said I rode a lot of the Evo's and Shovel's. I fully agree the Evo was a massive step in the right direction for HD. So was the V-rod engine, but sadly, as it also seems for the R3, the European emission requirements have killed it off. Triumph did an outstanding job of shaking off the parallel twin identifier, until such a time that it became a 'retro model' rather than the main focus. Although it seems that the twin is still a massive draw-card for many. IF a motor design is a sound and 'got it right' one, there is no reason for it not to have a long production life. As you pointed out the FJ11/1200 was one of these. That motor is still in production in the XJR1300. The Guzzi is now the longest running production engine. The Venture V4 motor is another It seems, reliable, high mileage, pretty much bulletproof. IF HD can come up with a new/revised motor and have a range of different frames for different applications? Then possibly they can produce a range of new models. But like you, I'm not holding my breath.

Yes, the USA get USA made ones, rest of the world get the ones made in India.

To clear this up fully: All Street 750s and Street 500s for US and Canadian consumption will be built in the Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations plant in Kansas City, Missouri, where there is a manufacturing line dedicated to producing the liquid-cooled Revolution X engine, a new 60-degree V-twin featuring chain-driven single overhead camshafts. On the other hand, all Street 750s and Street 500s for India, Italy, Spain, and Portugal (the only other markets at this time), will be built in Bawal, which has been expanded to a full manufacturing plant (for the Street models only) and uses parts sourced from all over the world. so the rest of the world gets Indian made/assembled bikes. no longer potato - potato... chapati - chapati

I think the big difference was/is Bloor was not 'indoctrinated' in the 'legacy' of Triumph. It was a long time before they finally released the Bonneville twins. I had a ZL1000 Kwaka when the first new Trumpy's were released in the UK, and was impressed when I rode a 1200. Actually very similar to an FJ1200 Yammy for performance. The Modular concept was the right design, at the right time for Triumph. They've only just got 'rid of' the HD 'death wobble' frame. New models and the V-rod being dropped is mostly being driven by Europe, and with signs of that 'union' falling apart, it may not be long until the european emission requirements are no longer a factor? I just do not know {having observed the snobbery that goes on WITHIN HD owners towards Sporty's, V-rods and now the 'Indian made' models, if the 'weekend 1%er's' would be able to accept such a radical change?

Now THAT could well have been a HD I'd have bought. The closest I've come to buying {very close} was the XR1200X, But I went for the Yamaha MT-01 instead. I've ridden just about all of the models from the iron head sporty up to the V-rod, twin cam etc